There is certainly no shortage of hilarious ‘My friend went to Madrid’ T-shirts, but dig a little deeper and you can find exquisitely painted ceramics, cutting-edge designer clothes and antiques. Speciality is key in Madrid, with shops selling solely olive oil, gloves or shawls. Head to the streets between Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor, where you’ll also find flamenco dolls, velvet bulls and nodding donkeys.

Designer clothes and upmarket antiques are best sought out in Salamanca, while there’s no shortage of second-hand clothes and decidedly dubious antiques at Madrid’s infamous flea market in La Latina, the Rastro. Rich with junk dealers, antiques and pickpockets, the Rastro has become a Sunday promenade to match that in the Retiro, and is an essential part of a visit to the city.

[top]